Simonides

Simonides was one of the most prolific of the early poets ofGreece, but only a few fragments of his compositions havedescended to us. He wrote hymns, triumphal odes, and elegies.In the last species of composition he particularly excelled. Hisgenius was inclined to the pathetic, and none could touch withtruer effect the chords of human sympathy. The Lamentation ofDanae, the most important of the fragments which remain of hispoetry is based upon the tradition that Danae and her infant sonwere confined by order of her father Acrisius in a chest and setadrift on the sea. The chest floated towards the island ofSeriphus, where both were rescued by Dictys, a fisherman, andcarried to Polydectes, king of the country, who received andprotected them. The child Perseus when grown up became a famoushero, whose adventures have been recorded in a previous chapter.

Simonides passed much of his life at the courts of princes, andoften employed his talents in panegyric and festal odes,receiving his reward from the munificence of those whose exploitshe celebrated. This employment was not derogatory, but closelyresembles that of the earliest bards, such as Demodocus,described by Homer, or of Homer himself as recorded by tradition.

On one occasion when residing at the court of Scopas, king ofThessaly, the prince desired him to prepare a poem in celebrationof his exploits, to be recited at a banquet. In order todiversify his theme, Simonides, who was celebrated for his piety,introduced into his poem the exploits of Castor and Pollux. Suchdigressions were not unusual with the poets on similar occasions,and one might suppose an ordinary mortal might have been contentto share the praises of the sons of Leda. But vanity isexacting; and as Scopas sat at his festal board among hiscourtiers and sycophants, he grudged every verse that did notrehearse his own praises. When Simonides approached to receivethe promised reward Scopas bestowed but half the expected sum,saying, "Here is payment for my portion of the performance,Castor and Pollux will doubtless compensate thee for so much asrelates to them." The disconcerted poet returned to his seatamidst the laughter which followed the great man's jest. In alittle time he received a message that two young men on horsebackwere waiting without and anxious to see him. Simonides hastenedto the door, but looked in vain for the visitors. Scarcelyhowever had he left the banqueting-hall when the roof fell inwith a loud crash, burying Scopas and all his guests beneath theruins. On inquiring as to the appearance of the young men whohad sent for him, Simonides was satisfied that they were no otherthan Castor and Pollux themselves.